ENGLISH
REFERENCE

atrocious

adj.
C1 Advanced US //əˈtɹoʊʃəs// UK //ɐtɹˈəʊʃəs// atro·cious

adj. extremely bad, unpleasant, or of very poor quality. You use this to describe something that is shocking or terrible.

adj. exceptionally bad or of very low quality; often used to describe performance, weather, or behavior. Frequently carries a tone of strong disapproval or shock.


SIMPLE

The weather today is absolutely atrocious.

CONTEXTUAL

The team lost the game because their defensive play was atrocious throughout the second half.

COMPLEX

While the plot of the novel showed some promise, the atrocious grammar and inconsistent pacing made it nearly impossible for most readers to finish.

Synonyms
Origin

From Latin atrōx (“cruel, fierce, frightful”) + -ious.

Usage

Often modified by intensifiers like 'absolutely' or 'utterly' rather than 'very'.

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